February28,2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement in response to the Executive Order signed by President Obama establishing the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC):

“The creation of an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center is an important step forward toward ensuring that our trading partners are held accountable when they violate international agreements and, importantly enabling American workers to compete fairly in the global marketplace.

“Coordinating the relevant agencies and increasing resources to investigate unfair trade practices by our competitors is critical to our economy’s growth and is essential to putting more Americans back to work. As the fourth largest exporter in the country, we must level the playing field for Washington State products that face unfair trade practices and subsidies by foreign countries.

“I’m pleased the Administration has shown a real commitment to American economic growth and I am confident the Enforcement Center will continue to help secure economic prosperity and advance American interests.”